In an appearance on TV Tokyo's "Sports Real Live" show (Japanese language link from Yahoo Japan), Kenta Maeda said that he is leaving North American baseball behind at the conclusion of the 2025 season. Maeda revealed that he initially made his decision after signing his two-year, $24MM deal with the Tigers that that would be his final contract with a Major League team, and he is hoping to continue his career in Japan with a Nippon Professional Baseball club in 2026.
The New York Yankees inked a minor league deal with 37-year-old right-hander Kenta Maeda to address their need for starting pitching help, with Maeda having had nine seasons in MLB and starting 2025 in the bullpen.